Here at SuperYacht Company, we decided to kick off 2018 with the latest issue of The SuperYacht Times,&nbsp;an issue with a different focus from anything we've done before. The discerning readers amongst you will have already noticed that Issue 18 is our first themed issue of the year: the Innovation Issue. Here, we delve into just some of the stories found in the latest issue to give you a flavour of what's inside.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/20767/image/large-ab14edb590c4f0f5d4781072c05a1119.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20767">Innovation, the much over-used term in the superyacht industry, means a lot of different things to different people. For Cor D. Rover, the Dutch design studio interviewed by Gemma Fottles on pages 20-1, who are responsible for scores of patented superyacht innovations, including the sky terrace, deep pool and crystal beach concepts, design innovation is ultimately driven by passion above all. As Rover himself told us at the design studio, 'We're passionate about boats, we're passionate about what we do, and we're passionate about discovering things that are yet to exist.'&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/20771/image/large-db8579ed93ca765f45d96b68ed0eb979.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20771"> In addition, innovation can also take the form of new initiatives within the industry, as was evident in Georgia Tindale's interview with Jan Pachner and Riccardo Bonadeo from the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), on pages 24-5, where they discussed their foundation of the One Ocean Forum: an event hosted by the club which aimed to raise industry awareness about the need to protect and preserve our oceans for future generations. As Jan Pachner, Secretary General of the YCCS explained: 'We've been taking a lot of joy from the sea over the last 50 years, and it's time to give something back.'&nbsp;As explored in the article, there are scores of environmental initiatives appearing all the time within the industry, demonstrating that this environmental awareness is here to stay.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/21479/image/large-4274645cd8076400976f63d503060a74.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/21479">As with all industries, adopting the latest technologies can be the route to successful innovation within the superyacht business, and this was certainly the case for the Yacht Company (known as Y.CO). Interviewed by Charl van Rooy on pages 26-7, Y.CO has truly embraced the digital world in their yacht management services as the way forward in a way which has already been transformational for both the company and for the future of yacht management services. As Charlie Birkett, co-founder of Y.CO explained, 'At the moment we are a yacht management company using digital systems, but I think it is only a matter of time before we are a digital company offering yacht management services.'&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/20773/image/large-776289d598c43b9ce6064b42e84ea542.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20773">Finally, Gemma Fottles rounds off our 'Market' section on page 28 by discussing one innovation which has the whole industry (and the whole world!) talking at the moment: the rise of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin - which has already been used to sell one yacht, Denison's 48' Leopard. In this feature, we discover how an increasing number of brokerage firms are embracing Bitcoin within the industry - and the radical implications this could bring with it. As Chris Cecil-Wright, from Cecil Wright told us, 'Who, knows, buying a yacht with Fiat may soon be a thing of the past.'&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/20766/image/large-74bca4c68fc16ca3d16f35c7800702a3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20766">Other features inside Issue 18 include a special Antarctica feature with EYOS Expeditions, an interview with Feadship's director, Henk de Vris, a closer look at innovation in design with the British studio Claydon Reeves, and a unique photo feature detailing some of the most innovative developments in superyachting, subscribe <a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription">now</a> to receive your issue straight to your door and never miss another issue. &nbsp;

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SuperYacht Times - Issue 18